The Great Library of Palanthas

An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Ariella.

A little gully dwarf runs by and says 'Wordwrap is at 65. You change? Off 65 80.'
The gully continues 'Eyes hurt? Turn Color OFF!! (regular story dates)

Astinus says 'Enter the main library here to view only the author list.'
Astinus gently places a book on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Ariella' scribed in rich green ink.


Author:    Ariella        
Date:      Mon Jul 26
16:05:13 2021
Subject     Ariella - Genesis part
1

Child of a drug-addicted silvanesti slave and an unknown human father, Ariella was born in a seedy, backstreet brothel. Born into slavery, she was branded as a baby on her cheek with an owners mark, and was raised to become yet another brothel worker. Where other children were running around and playing with each other, Ariella was being trained on how to best please a man, on how to separate him from his coin with her body. As she got older, her body and mind began to mature, early signs showing a promise of the noble bearing, intelligence, and otherworldly beauty to come. Her master, in a fit of inspiration, decided to have her taught reading and writing, arithmetic, philosophy, and music in order to cater to a richer, higher-end clientele. As her 14th birthday approached, the typical age that marks a slave old enough to work in a brothel, men came from far and wide in eager anticipation of her brothel debut. Even educated, Ariella's future seemed to be set in stone, a bleak life of being used for gratification. However fate it seems, had other plans for her. On the night of her debut, her master held an auction to auction off her first night, eager to make as much profit from Ariella's misery as possible. The haggling and bickering grew heated as men tried to outbid each other, the bids becoming ludicrously large as nobles threw down deeds to castles, chests of diamonds and gold, and promised grandly enormous sums to have the honor of claiming her first. Unbeknownst to most, a red-robed and hooded individual has entered quietly during the beginning of the auction, to stand at the back of the room and watch discreetly. As the back and forth grew to fever pitch, the red-robed individual finally stepped forward and raised their hands, although few, if any, noticed. However, when a spinning red moon appeared between the mage's hand, casting forth a red light over the entire room as it rose to the ceiling, everyone turned in shock and silence reigned. This child belongs to me now a woman's voice rang out from beneath the shadowed cowl And no more shall she be used, abused, bought or sold. she exclaimed in disgust. Hearing a woman's voice, several of the men laughed derisively, and Ariella's master stomped forward to grab the mage's arm. No, this child-bitch is mine. I have put my hard-earned gold into raising her, feeding her, clothing her, and teaching her, and now is the time to get a return on my investment! Leave now of your own accord, before I decide to auction you off as well. He sneered, but his expression quickly changed to terror as the mage before him dissolved into red smoke, reappearing next to Ariella with her hand on her shoulder. With a wave of her other hand, she froze everyone else in the room. You're right, you have invested in teaching, feeding, clothing, and raising her. And you shall get your reward for doing so. However, you treated this child as property, as chattel, as less than human, and so you shall have your reward for that as well. This child is now under my protection, and I shall continue her education, and see to her needs. And I shall do so humanely and with kindness, instead of with greed and avarice and perversion, and so she shall one day become a mage of my order.

Author: Ariella Date: Mon Jul 26 16:07:07 2021 Subject Ariella - Genesis part 2

With a glare at the room, she continued in an ominous voice. All of you bear witness, to the reward given, and be grateful that you do not receive a similar reward. And with that, a terrifying scream was rent forth from the slaver's throat as his skin began to bubble and boil. Red mist descended from the glowing moon to obscure his figure, roiling throughout with lightning and thunder. The red moon continued to grow, shattering the roof as it continued to rise towards the sky as well. Awe gripped the crowd as with the roof gone, they could clearly see that Lunitari was missing from her normal place in the sky, instead hovering above the shattered roof, proving that the vivacious goddess was instead here, rescuing her newest disciple. Without conscious thought or control, people dropped to their knees in abject worship as a brilliant and blinding flash filled the night sky. As people's eyes cleared, they could see Lunitari had left and resumed her place in the night sky, Ariella had disappeared, and in the place of the former slaver there was an average looking cow. Unbeknownst to onlookers however, the cow was now immortal. That was the slaver's reward. For feeding, educating, and raising Ariella, immortality was granted. However, for treating her as chattel, he was transformed into a cow, to be used as a slave by whoever took him, with no respite, for eternity. Thus was justice served. As for Ariella, she was deposited on the steps of the Towers of High Sorcery, to continue her education, to become one with the mystic arts and fulfill whatever designs Lunitari had in mind. For after all, a goddess doesn't rescue just anyone, now does she? But that is another story for another day.

The Storytellers of Ansalon, The DragonLance MUD

Astinus points to the massive wall of books behind him and bids you to make a selection.


Authors: All|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

Astinus sighs as he recants 'We saved 868 books from Ansalon from before the great Cataclysm through today.'
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